Preoperative Sagittal Spinal Profile of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Lenke Types and Non-Scoliotic Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to determine the differences in sagittal spinopelvic parameters between adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) Lenke types and non-scoliotic controls through a systematic review and meta-analysis of the available literature.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

AIS classification mainly focuses on frontal curve differences; however, the variations in the sagittal spinopelvic alignment in the current classification system is not fully established.

METHODS

Following preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines, searches were performed for sagittal spinal and pelvic parameters of Lenke types and non-scoliotic controls in PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases. Selection criteria were: (1) age range 10 to 21 years; (2) Lenke types 1-6 (for AIS group) or non-scoliotic adolescents (for the control group); (3) preoperative data for T5-T12 thoracic kyphosis (TK), L1-S1 lumbar lordosis (LL), pelvic incidence (PI), sacral slope (SS), and sagittal vertical axis (SVA). (4) Written in English language. PI-LL mismatch was calculated from the weighted average of PI and LL. Publication bias between studies and within studies quality were assessed. A meta-regression compared each measured variable between groups. Thoracic (Lenke1 and 2) and thoracolumbar/lumbar (Lenke 5 and 6) scoliosis were combined and statistically compared with the control group.

RESULTS

Meta-analysis, including 81 AIS and 18 control studies, showed no significant differences in sagittal parameters between Lenke types and controls for LL, PI, PI-LL mismatch, SS, and SVA (P > 0.05). Publication bias was significant in Lenke 1 TK, Control LL, and Lenke 1, and 5 SVA. Stratification based on deformity region (thoracic vs. thoracolumbar/lumbar) showed no significant differences in sagittal spinopelvic parameters (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

No definitive difference was found between non-scoliotic adolescents and Lenke types in sagittal spinal and pelvic parameters. Future studies on developing a sagittal classification specific to AIS patients with a goal to improve surgical planning and outcome prediction are highly encouraged.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE